The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-08-25
Washing gtOn Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. g.. Aug 10, 1887.

Washington Letter.
WAsHINaToN, ID. g., Aug 10, 1887.
Since the late Republican Admins
tratiOp gave place to Democratic
regime probably the most important
and radical change in public policy |
has been the method adopted by the
Government in exacting from the fa-
vored corporations known as land |
grant railroads, their strictest compli-
auce with their charters, the condi-
tions of which the railroads had fallen
into the habit of almost entirely ig-
noring whenever it suited their inter-
ests to do SO. 1t is almost impossible
for the mind to conceive the mag nitude
of the magnificent public domain re-
stored to the people under President
Cleveland's administration, for only
this week in the case of the Atlantic
and Pacific railroads alone between
twenty five and thirty millions acres
of lands were thrown open to settle
ment, to say nothing of its effects upon
number of other land grant railroads.
Before leaving upon his vacation
Secretary Whitney took the most i'm
portant step that has been taken since
the late war in rebuilding the navy,
by awarding several large contracts,
amounting to about five millions dol
lars, for the construction of three steel
cruisers and two gunboats. One of
the former, as provided by the act of
Congress, will be built at San francisco,
while the assignees of John Roach will
build the gunboats. The Navy de-
partmsnt has awarded to the Barron
Ship Building Company, of London,
England. the prize of Sis, 600 for fur
nishiDg the besl designs for building a
battle ship authoriz I'd by a special act
of Congress, and a board of Naval Of
ficers has been appointed to carefully
consider and report as to the pOssibili-
ty of the plans being carried on.
The new post office regulations pro-
vided for by the past Cong ress, to take
effect Sept 18th, will be issued soon,
the changes are unimportaut-relating
chiefly to the manner of keeping post
Office accounts. This Depart has
also ordered change in the color OF
postage stamps
The prepayment of interest on reg.
istered bonds goes steadily onward
the amount paid to date being about
seventy million dollars. 1t is stated
that future applications for advanced
interest will be delayed ss little IA
possible. Since August ist, the re-
ceipts of the Government are fifteen
million dollars in excess of the dis
bursements, bat it is estimated tha
the heavy pension payments of thi'
month will require considerably
larger sum than the surplus that accu
mulated during the present month
After all obligations are promptly me
the surplus still persistently piles uI
: and permanent relief can only be ex
: pected from the action of Congress
i next winter. Disposing of the surplu
e is the vital question of the times, AM
q the public veal unquestionably de
$ mands the early solution of the mo
}, mentous problem, and I have conf
dence that the combined sagacity o
0 President Cleveland and Democrat
Congress will be equal to the emeI
/ gency, despite the gloomy prediction
g of the chronic crOakers.
g Democrats at the Capital view wit
supreme satisfaction the line of tn
Republican party for 1888, and fore
Q Ishadowed by the action of the Key
u stone state, whose battle cry is Blain
+ the bloody shirt and high protectiv
4 tariff. On such issues as these tn
: Democrscy need have no fear of az
pealing to the judgment and patriot
ism of the country.
The case of the registering Riddle
); berger, who has just emerged from tn
L gloom of q Virginia Jail, excited con
e siderable comment, but little symps
e thy, in this city, where his idiosyn Il
I cTacies are we'll known, as it is not
}, uncommon occurrence to see thi
J, rampant Republican make an vi
!. seemly spectacle of himself on tn
Senate, to the shame of his brothe
Senators.
1t is thought that the prominence {
9 Hon. Roger Q. Mills in the late pre-
hibition contest in Texas will mater
ally aid his aspirations for premotiO
from second to first place on the Com
mittee on Ways and Means, as th
former Chairman, Hon. VIM. r. Mo-
9 rison, is not member Of the Fiftiet
Congress.
4 The attempt to enforce the Edmund
:. Utah law in the District of Columbi
, is causing one scandalous sensatiO
after another. Before the now note
o rious case has been disposed of wors
one has been brought to light-thst {
g United States soldier who Is charge
with the frightful crime of incest wit
his own niece. This awful accusatio
is brought by his own brother, and tn
Q poor girl involved is only sixteen.
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